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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Silver Innings Active Ageing Center in association with Harmony for Silvers Foundation has pleasure to invite Senior Citizens who are 50yrs + for Session on Tai Chi.

Tai chi, pronounced "tie chee," is a gentle exercise program that is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Derived from the martial arts, tai chi is composed of slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and deep breathing, which enhance physical health and emotional well-being.

Monday, June 28, 2010

In the first case in the city under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, police have arrested a 57-year-old man for failing to take care of his 83-year-old father. He was booked under Section 24 of the Act.

Police arrested Kumar, a resident of Pattalam, based on the complaint of his father Muthukrishnan on Wednesday. Police said Muthukrishnan had approached the local police station earlier to seek legal action against his son who was neglecting him. “We summoned Kumar and he entered into a compromise with his father in front of Ayanavaram police inspector Ramesh, three months ago. As per the deal, Kumar promised to give Rs 200 to his father every month. However, he failed to adhere to his words, instead he harassed his father. Later, Muthukrishnan lodged another complaint and based on it, police arrested Kumar. He was remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate’s court,” a police officer said. According to the law, neglect, exposure and abandonment of senior citizens is punishable with imprisonment up to three months or a fine up to Rs 5,000 or both.

Muthukrishnan is a vegetable vendor and has three sons Kumar, 57, Sekar, 53, and Kamalakannan, 48, apart from a daughter Padmini, 45. All of them are married. Muthukrishnan has had to depend on his children following the death of his wife five years ago. Though Sekar and Kamalakannan supported their father, Kumar did not help out at all. He works in a printing press and lives with his family in the adjacent locality.

Additional commissioner of police (law and order) Mohammad Shakeel Akther said, “Many elderly people don’t know about the new Act. Any harassment of senior citizens will be dealt with severely, according to law.”

Caring For The OldThe elderly unable to support themselves are entitled to maintenance

* According to the law, neglect, exposure and abandonment of senior citizens is punishable with imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to Rs 5,000 or both * Maintenance of senior citizens includes provision of food, clothing, residence and medical treatment to them

Friday, June 25, 2010

Piara Singh (80) can neither walk nor see. His dementia, too, is getting worse by the day. And the world has forgotten about him.In what must rank as one of India’s most callous instances of treating prisoners, Piara, a murder convict with capital punishment hanging over his head, has been languishing in Amritsar jail since 1991, mostly in solitary confinement, with neither death nor mercy rescuing him. Although his mercy petition is pending with the President since 1997, nothing by way of either relief or upholding of the sentence has come from Rashtrapati Bhavan.To his lawyer Navkiran Singh, who meets the condemned man once in a while, Piara whispers that he can’t take it anymore. ‘‘I should have been hanged the day they said I should be killed,’’ he mumbles. It was nearly two decades ago that Piara Singh, then about 60, stepped inside Amritsar jail after being arrested in a murder case, a crime his three sons were also subsequently charged with. The death sentence was handed to him five years later in 1996, triggering his removal to solitary confinement in a 12X6 cell. He has been there since.

Residents of Amritsar’s Baserke village, Piara and his sons were found guilty of firing at a gathering to celebrate a marriage in November, 1991. It was an old enmity and by the time the violence ebbed, 17 people died. ‘‘I was moved by his plight when I accidentally stumbled upon him at Amritsar jail where I went to collect data on death row inmates in 2006,’’ said Navkiran Singh. ‘‘I decided I would fight for him. But now Piara just prays for death. It is horrifying.’’

While his initial mercy petition is gathering dust in Delhi, closer home, a PIL was filed in the Punjab and Haryana HC in August 2006, pleading that it is inhuman to keep convicts in solitary confinement. It also pleaded that Piara’s death sentence be commuted to a life term.

Gearing up for August 19, the PIL’s next date of hearing, Navkiran said, ‘‘Life term, in the eyes of the law, is interpreted to be of 20 years and in a normal murder case, after adding remission, it comes down to nine. Piara has suffered a lot. At least he should spend the last days of his life in his house.’’

But with neither the hangman nor the courts reavhing out, disease is slowly consuming the frail man. A medical report in January says, ‘‘Piara has osteoarthritis in both knee joints and acid peptic disease. As a result of prolonged incarceration, he has symptoms of mild psychotic disorder which at times results in him hallucinating.’’

No End In Sight?

November 1991: Piara arrested for murder, sent to Amritsar jailJanuary 1996: Gets death sentence along with son SarabjitFeb 2001: Piara’s other sons, Gurdev and Satnam, too get death verdictMarch 1997: Files mercy petition with President of IndiaAugust 2006: PIL in Punjab & Haryana HC requesting conversion of death sentence to life imprisonment1950-1980: Between 3,000 to 4,000 executions took place in the country1980-1997: Two to three convicts were hanged per year1997-2004: De facto moratorium on executionsAugust 2004: One execution for rape and murderAfter 2004: No execution, but capital punishment is being handed down

Monday, June 21, 2010

In a shocking incident reminiscent of medieval times, Rajasthan police brutally tortured an old man for theft by hanging him from a tree and thrashing him in the premises of a police station in Rajasthan's Dholpur district. The senior citizen, identified only as Jaydev, is in a state of shock after the treatment meted out to him on Thursday10th June 2010.The 75-year-old's wife claims she was threatened with the same torture when she cried for help.The barbaric interrogation is Shame to the nation.

Three police officials from the Saipau police station were suspended on Friday, and an inquiry has been ordered into the suspect's torture. Jaydev, a resident of Bhakara village in Dausa district, was arrested after the police suspected him of being part of a gang that had stolen motor parts from a shop in Saipau town, 300 km east of Jaipur, in March.

"The police tracked records of a mobile phone that was stolen, and traced it to Jaydev," said Dholpur Superintendent of Police of Surendra Kumar. Jaydev was taken to the Saipau police station.

A rope was tied around him and he was hanged from a neem tree. Calling it a case of human rights violation, the state's director general of police has asked the SP to suspend Station House Officer Rajendra Kavia, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jhaman Lal and constable Gajan Singh.

Calling it a case of human rights violation, the state’s director general of police has asked the SP to suspend Station House Officer Rajendra Kavia, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jhaman Lal and constable Gajan Singh.

“There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour. We will record his (Jaydev’s) statement after he recovers from the shock,” said Kumar. “He claims he is not active in the gang, and his children might have stolen the mobile and given it to him,” he said.

Its shame to nation which respect elderly and boast of its culture and tradition.The news is shocking and it happen when the World was preparing for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15th June.

Hanging an Senior Citizens with tree to extract confession is total violation of Human Right ,its inhumane, cruel and it also violate the citizen's rights under the Constitution of India. It is surprising and sad to see (MOSJE) Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment ,National Human Right Commission and Human Right activist silent on the issue.Note the MOSJE is the so caled nodal Ministry for the Senior Citizens in the country.

Silver inning Foundation demand an inquiry by National Commission of Human Right and to immediate dismiss the said officer and SP and also demand UN department of Aging ,INPEA to ask Indian government to protect Elderly and give show cause notice - why it has not implemented Madrid plan of aging and International convention which country is signatory.

Senior Citizens its high time ,lets join hand and participate in ' National Protest Day' for Elder Right on 16th August 2010.

Friday, June 18, 2010

“Poverty among older persons remains high in too many societies, and the integration of aging into national development plans and targeted strategies for reaching the MDGs should result in important advances in improving the situation of poor and vulnerable older persons.”‐‐‐ United Nations Under‐Secretary‐General for Communications and Public Information, Kiyotaka Akasaka; 1 June 2009

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS & OLDER PERSONS

• Older persons will outnumber children for the first time in history by 2040. The world is ageing at a rate that is unprecedented, without parallel in human history.As populations age, the number of older people living in poverty will increase.

• While the Millennium Development Goals have specific targets on children and youth, they are silent on issues of age, disability, and ethnicity.

• If the MDGs are to deliver fair and equitable development that reaches the poorest, we can no longer ignore the unprecedented demographic change that is presently taking place. If older people are not included in poverty reduction strategies, the world is not only failing in its obligations to older people themselves, but is compounding the risk that hunger and poverty will continue to be transmitted from one generation to the next, locking the poorest people in a vicious cycle of chronic poverty and insecurity.

Silver Inning Foundation supports the fight to include issue of older adults and disability in MDG.We demand policy of inclusive and ask UN to STOP discrimination against aged , STOP Ageism.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The country is known for its culture, tradition is becoming home for large scale Elder Abuse.Civil Society, Politician’s, Government don’t think Ageing needs attention. We boast of our joint family but now we have more nuclear and micro nuclear family, where will our elderly go.We also need to empower them.

Elderly are often left alone to defend themselves, the age when they want peace, security and dignity they are fighting for their Basic rights.

Political parties don’t think Senior Citizens as Vote Bank (is 13% not vote bank?). It’s sad that in Indian Parliament where we have around 34% and 53% MP’s in lower and upper house respectively who are Senior Citizens (60+ ) themselves hardly talk about issues and problem of their aged community.The neglect and ignorance of Indian government and Political parties can be seen in non implementation of NPOP 1999(which is now more than 11 years old ) and Senior Citizens Maintenance Act 2007.

There is total lack of political and social will.

Senior Citizens and Organizations working for Elderly are forced to observe National Protest Day on 16th August 2010 to demand Elder Right. All over the country Elderly will observe Black Day to protest abuse by Federal and State Government.

At Silver Inning Foundation we have been advocating for Elder Right and separate ministry or National Commission for Senior Citizens and hence we release some Eye opener statistics of Indian Parliament, hope this will help Elderly , civil society , political parties and Government to formulate policy , plan of action for benefit of our Elderly :

Total Indian Population as on 2008: approx. 1 billion 1,147,995,904

Aged Population as on 2008: approx. 8% approx 90 million

Total Electoral as on 2008: 705,788,184

Aged Electoral 60+ age group: approx.13%

Indian Parliament 2009:

Lok sabha (Lower House) : Total MP’s 543

MP’s 60+ age group: 185: 34%

Max Age: 89yrs: Das,Shri Ram Sundar , Hajipur(Bihar )

MP’s in age group 58 yrs to 59 yrs: 41

MP’s Young Old (60- 70 yrs): 140MP’s Old Old (71 – 80yrs): 40MP’s Very Old (81+ yrs): 5

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A great number of workers coming up on retirement (as well as those who are already retired) are forced to consider the virtually limitless options in terms of what to do after leaving the workplace. While in the past retirement has been considered a time for relaxation after a long and arduous working life, many find that the demands of their former careers have left them with the need for structure and accomplishment in daily life.

It is not uncommon for a percentage of retirees to devote themselves to community organizations through volunteer work. With a lifetime of experience, they can often bring a great deal of value to workplace. Some go one step further and actually continue working, albeit in part time positions. Both of these options give retirees opportunities to continue interacting with like minded people.

For those retirees who enjoy structure in their daily lives, and who are committed to learning at any stage of life, online college may be the best answer. Online college programs offer an extraordinary amount of flexibility while providing older students opportunities for academic growth at extremely reasonable prices, and without the commute!

While retirees often have varying levels of technological aptitude, there is no need for concern. Ever increasing advances in technology have been implemented to make accessing online colleges easier than ever for those who have little to no computer experience. These very same technological advances also allow for ever increasing interaction between instructors and students, creating an educational atmosphere that is in every way similar to sitting in a physical classroom. In this sense, all the student really needs are an internet connection and a willingness to learn.

A great aspect of most online colleges is the diversity of programs available. Just as with physical universities, online colleges can offer the student a wide variety of educational disciplines from which to choose, ranging from accounting to zoology. Needless to say, course material is developed by trained and qualified educators who specialize in conducting online classes, which guarantees that students will have the skills necessary to make a difference in the world.After retirement, if you are looking for ways of increasing your skill set, or if you simply are someone who is an avid learner, you may be a strong candidate for online college, the wave of the future in the world of education.

The following articles was written by Wendy Graham, a freelance writer that contributes to OnlineCollegeGuru.org, a guide to online colleges.

Every American deserves to live his or her golden years with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, too many of our country's seniors are abused and neglected, often by the very people responsible for their care. According to the best available estimates, approximately 700,000 to 3.5 million older Americans are abused, neglected, or exploited each year. Elders who experience abuse, neglect, or self‐neglect face considerably higher risk of premature death, up to 300% higher, than elders who have not been mistreated. Elder abuse can occur anywhere, and it affects seniors across America, of all socioeconomic groups, cultures, and races. Across these groups, however, studies show that the majority of victims are female.

In response to this growing issue, on June 15, 2006, The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse collaborated with organizations around the globe to launch World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Also in 2006, provisions were added to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to allow those funds to assist victims of elder abuse and late life domestic violence. But there is still much work to be done. New provisions protecting the elderly are the smallest appropriation of VAWA funds at about 1%, and only 1.5% of domestic violence programs have support groups for older victims.Today, we recommit ourselves to fighting elder abuse. To commemorate the 5th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, agencies and organizations across the country are encouraging individuals to recognize this underreported issue and raise awareness about the mistreatment of seniors. This is especially important, as research suggests that elder abuse is significantly under-identified and under-reported, and that as few as 1 in 6 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities.

When Hiren Mehta started managing a day care program for seniors in Mumbai , he had certain ideas about what older India wanted. "We used to have spiritual discourses and old movies here originally," he says in his office next to a temple off a bustling side street in South Mumbai. "Then they said we don't want old movies. We want sexy ones like the young people watch." Mehta spiced up the movie selection and also added salsa classes. It is not my grandmother's India anymore.

Harmony Foundation, which runs the day care center does not even call them seniors. It calls them Silvers. Every year they give out the Silver Awards for exceptionally active seniors. Mehta showed me a calendar with the 2009 winners. Bhausaheb Thorat, 84, launched one of India's most massive tree plantation drives. Kambel Chulai, 69, designed eco-friendly crematoriums to help conserve trees. "Old age does not mean you have to just go to the hospital or the temple," says Mehta. "We want to celebrate age."

That is taking some adjusting all round. 80 million Indians are already over 60. But they are just starting to understand the power of those numbers. "We are not an organized sector," complains M R Parasuram sitting in his air-conditioned office in Bangalore. "We must show how much of a vote we command." Parasuram is 79. A retired industrialist, he comes to his home office every day at 10 am in a crisp shirt and tie. "I am still following the British style," he says with a smile. These days Parasuram is not running his business anymore. Instead he runs the Federation of Senior Citizen Forums, which tries to be a nodal agency for some 130-odd organizations scattered around the state working with senior citizens. "I have done donkey's work for 50 years. My children are settled. Now I have told them not to come to me for money," says Parasuram. "Now I earn the money. And I spend the money."

All of this is new territory for India. Though the welfare of older citizens is written into the Indian constitution, it is mostly on paper. For the lucky, old age was about grandchildren and religious hymns. For the unlucky, it meant being warehoused in one of the government's dreary homes for the aged or even cast out on the streets. But now a growing number of India's seniors are starting to take their future into their own hands.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

June 15, New Delhi (National).Today, on the “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” (which falls on June 15), HelpAge India, the nation’s premier charity working for the elderly brought out some startling facts from a study it conducted across 8 cities in India on Elder Abuse.

The methodology of the study was primarily through HelpAge India’s network of Senior Citizen Associations and individuals. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. The main survey was quantitative with structured interviews among elderly men and women in the age group of 60+ years primarily among the educated middle class. A sample size of 800 (approx.) was carried out in 8 cities with 100 per city (approx.). The 8 cities were: Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai, Patna and Hyderabad.

The qualitative component included In Depth Interviews carried out with respondent * such as Legal Experts, members of Senior Citizen Associations, Police Officers, Medical Experts, Social Welfare Officer, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Psychologists, Corporate and Individual donors.

One fifth of the elderly did not know what constitutes abuse and among those that were aware, more than one third felt elder abuse constitutes: from feeling disrespected to verbal abuse, economic abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and physical abuse. Topping the kinds of abuse faced was: 40.2% elderly felt disrespected, followed by verbal abuse (37.8%), neglect, economic abuse (28.2%), emotional abuse (25.8%) and physical abuse (14.1%).

Bhopal had the highest percentage of elderly who faced abuse (79.3 %) and Delhi came out as the good city with the lowest (15.4%). Physical abuse was the highest in Kolkata (22.8%), Hyderabad (21.7%), Mumbai (21%) & Ahmedabad (20%) in comparison to other cities.

44% elders consider Neglect as a form of abuse and of those abused, 33.7% stated that they faced neglect. Topping the reasons for Neglect stated by the elders was that family members were too preoccupied with their own lives & work.

Nearly 50% of elders live with their sons (49.5%) and of those that are financially dependent - 57% are dependent on their sons. Of those facing abuse, 53.6 % of the elderly stated, they were abused by their own son followed by a close second by their daughter-in-law (43.3%).In Delhi, Domestic help was another source with 19% elderly feeling abused by them.

The reasons for taking no action against abuser were mainly: the belief that nothing concrete will happen, second a sense of shame in the community, followed by fear of further abuse.53.4% elderly took no action when faced with abuse and 25.5% elderly prefer to discuss it with family or community to resolve matters.

33% of those that registered a complaint against the abuser felt nothing concrete came out of it. Maximum number of the senior citizens felt that the elderly should be given protection by law enforcing agencies followed by home visits. Close to two fifth (38%) of the elderly perceive the role of police and lawyers as non supportive.

The main context of abuse was Property (35.4%) followed by Lack of Emotional Support (30.2%). The percentage of elderly who owned property was highest on Delhi (68.3%), Patna (68%) and Bhopal (62.1%). The main source of income for most elderly was their Pension (45 %) with Delhi once again topping the list with 62%.

Nearly one third each of the elderly reported facing abuse because of lack of emotional support (30%) and lack of basic necessities (29%).A large number of elderly are unaware of existing laws to protect them, with only one third of the elderly (33%) being aware. The awareness of laws and programmes is highest in Delhi (53.8%) followed by Mumbai (44.7%) and Kolkata (40.3%). The awareness level is lowest in Bhopal (8%).

‘Having steady cash flow’, ‘making adjustments within family’ and ‘having own property to reduce economic dependency’ are the major measures suggested by the elderly to control elder abuse.

The qualitative study respondents* suggested that families need to interact with one another and maintain harmony and peaceful relationships to control elder abuse. The children and the elderly both need to make adjustments. Donors feel that civil society needs to be made more aware of the issue of elder abuse. To facilitate this, the Corporates are willing to support the cause as they believe that they are part of the society and it is their social obligation to participate in social issues.

HelpAge India feels that Awareness about Elder Abuse is the first concrete step in tackling the problem. Awareness of what it constitutes, of the laws available to tackle it and most importantly open and healthy dialogues between people though discussions, forums, educational mediums among other things.

ABOUT HELPAGE INDIAHelpAge India is a leading humanitarian, development and campaign organization working with and for older people in India for the more than 30 years. It advocates strongly for their cause and supports & also runs age care programmes throughout the country to make lasting improvements in the lives of disadvantaged older persons. It strongly believes in the potential of the elderly and their undeniable contribution to society. It also advises & facilitates the government in formation of policy related to the elderly. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.

For more info contact: Sonali Sharma: 9810676562

SALIENT FINDINGS:

1. The mean age of the elderly across the cities is 68 years. More than half of the elderly in Kolkata (54%) are of 70+ years.

2. Three fourth (74%) of the elderly are currently married, while one fifth (23%) are divorced.

3. The mean number of children the elderly have is 3, with 2 sons and 1 daughter in all cities except Hyderabad, Kolkata and Patna where it is 4.

4. Half of the elderly stay with son, while one fourth (27%) stay with spouse. One tenth (10%) of the elderly are living alone and their children come to visit them.

5. Emotional abuse was reported more in Delhi (62%) and Kolkata (54%).

6. Four fifth (82%) of the elderly are literates with one fifth (19%) and one tenth (13%) being Graduates and Post Graduates respectively. Close to one fifth (18%) of the elderly are illiterate.

7. Half (51%) of the elderly own property and this is highest in Delhi (68%) and Patna (68%) and lowest in Hyderabad (28%) and Kolkata (36%).

8. As regards the last main occupation, 26% of the elderly were homemakers, while 19% were working as unskilled workers.

9. One fifth of the elderly are currently engaged in economic activity.

10. More than two fifth (45%) of the elderly currently economically active are self employed/ professionals. Nearly one fifth of the elderly are shop owners.

11. The average monthly household income of the elderly is Rs. 12,045. About three fifth (59%) of the elderly have a monthly household income of less than Rs 10,000.

12. More than two fifth (45%) of the elderly have pension as the main source of income and one fifth get income from interest on savings and fixed deposits.

13. Close to three fourth (73%) of the elderly are living in their own house while 18% are living in a rented place.

14. More than two fifth (46%) of the elderly are financially dependent on others, with highest being reported in Chennai (63%) and Kolkata (61%).

15. More than half (57%) of the elderly are financially dependent on their son and around one fourth are dependent on their spouse.

16. More than two fifth (44%) of the elderly consider negligence as elder abuse.

17. More than one third each of the elderly feel that elder abuse constitutes emotional abuse (39%), verbal abuse (37%), economic abuse (35%), showing disrespect (34%) and physical abuse (34%).

18. About one third (35%) of the elderly feel neglected with 21% of the elderly in the age group of 60-69 years feeling so.

19. Feeling of being neglected stems from the family related factors such as family members not spending time and not interacting.

20. More than two fifth (46%) of the elderly reported that the family members are busy with their own work/lives and thus neglect them.

21. The elderly faced various types of abuse with showing disrespect being the most common form of abuse followed by verbal abuse, neglect, economic abuse and emotional abuse.

22. More than one third (36%) of the elderly have experienced any type of abuse with this being reported highest in Bhopal (79%) followed by Chennai (59%) and Kolkata (44%) and lowest in Delhi (15.4%).

23. Abuse in terms of showing disrespect was reported more in Chennai (71%) and Kolkata (54%).

26. Abuse is reported more from the family members, with son and daughter in law emerging as the major abusers.

27. Abuse by son was reported most in Bhopal (70%) followed by Patna (57%), and Kolkata (54%).

28. Abuse by domestic help was reported more in Delhi (19%) and Ahmedabad (13%).

29. One third (35%) of the elderly faced abuse due to property issues.

30. Nearly one third each of the elderly reported facing abuse because of lack of emotional support (30%) and lack of basic necessities (29%).

31. Half (53%) of the elderly did not take any action when they faced abuse. This is reported highest in Chennai (80%), Bhopal (69%) and Ahmedabad (62%).

32. Most (92%) of the elderly did not register any complaint against the abuser.

33. Among the elderly who registered complaint, 33% reported that nothing concrete came out of it, while 27% reported about the police carried out home visit, as a result of the complaint.

34. Nearly half of the elderly (48%) are willing to take concrete action against abuse in future.

35. Unwillingness to take any action against abuse stems from the perception among the elderly that - ‘nothing concrete will happen’ if any action is taken, followed by a sense of shame in the community and fear of further abuse.

36. Awareness about laws, policies and programmes against elder abuse is low among the elderly.

37. One third (33%) of the elderly are aware of existing laws and programmes against elder abuse.

38. Among the Elderly who are aware of the laws, policies and programmes, majority (88%) are aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen’s Act, (56%) of the elderly are aware of the National Policy on Older Persons, (67%) are aware of the Protection for Women against Domestic Violence Act.

39. Awareness of the law enforcing agencies is low as only one fifth of the elderly (18%) are aware of these.

40. Close to two fifth (38%) of the elderly perceive the role of police and lawyers as non supportive in tackling abuse.

41. One fourth of the elderly (26%) did not know about the role of the law enforcing agencies in controlling elder abuse.

42. More than one fourth (27%) of the elderly are of the view that the Police is not equipped to handle cases of elder abuse.

43. The major measures to be taken up by the law enforcing agencies suggested by the elderly include ‘giving protection’ and ‘carrying out home visits’.

44. It was also suggested that the Police should assist the elderly in getting maintenance from the children under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen’s Act.

45. ‘Having steady cash flow’, ‘making adjustments within family’ and ‘having own property to reduce economic dependency’ are the major measures suggested by the elderly to control elder abuse.

15-6-2010 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.

Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 98 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 11 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002. Ministry of Social Justice entrusted to implement this Policy feels that Policy is for guidance only! All other Ministries believe that they are not concerned with Policy and only Nodal Ministry has to deal with the subject!! Only 6 States & UT’s, out of 35 States and UT’s, have so far accepted [not implemented ! ] this Policy,99. Remaining 29 States/UTs have not even taken cognizance of it. Even out of the 6 States/UTs, none has really implemented it to any considerable level!!

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is implemented partially in only three States in three years! Senior Citizens in 32 States and UT’s are still deprived of its benefits.

No State/UT has made any progress for providing Old Age Homes in each District, as mandated in MWPS Act, 2007.

Today the poorest among poor are Senior Citizens. The worst sufferers are the very old that is 65+ belonging to BPL category. 70% of them live in villages and survive by doing physical labour. They are miserable because they are unable to do hard work because of age related disabilities. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme assured them minimum of Rs 400 per month pension which would have made their last few years little comfortable, but it was not to be. Out of 35 States and UT’s, 24 have not bothered to look at this scheme. Among 11 which claim to have implemented it, it has become an instrument for extending political favour and majority of eligible are excluded. In Andhra Pradesh only Rs 200/- are paid and that too through self appointed community leaders and Panchayats, who pass on only Rs 100/- to Rs 150/-. Our random surveys showed that more than 50% of elders were deprived even of this.

Recently, three budgets were announced, Railway, Central and States but no Minister even mentioned about existence of 9 crore Senior Citizens. None of their demands was conceded though all the demands were simple and were driven only by considerations of social justice.

There is no Health or Social Security in most of the States/UTs. Though we have shown on paper that the cost of covering the 9% Senior Citizens under Health Insurance on the lines of Aarogyasri in AP will be negligible compared to other cost items, yet no action is taken on this proposal.As on now only 5 out of 35 States & UTs [28 States + 7 UT’s] provide some sort of health cover to BPL category; the APL Senior Citizens are still left high and dry without any health security, whatsoever.

Our repeated demand for 50% concession in railways [for male Senior Citizens] has been ignored every time. Special suburban trains are run for ladies & separate coach is provided for handicaps but nothing is being done to provide separate coach for Senior Citizens. Similarly 50% concession in State Bus services has been turned down by all States except a very few progressive States. Grant of 2% higher interest rates on our savings was not even considered.

The Senior Citizens were ignored not for the first time. It was fourth time in a row. We have been facing this type of neglect not only in Budgets but even in the redressal of our legitimate concerns and the execution of our welfare schemes. Extremely poor response in most of the States to execution of various welfare schemes is an indication of their indifference towards us.

Frustrated Senior Citizens in all over the country have decided to observe 16th August 2010 as National Protest Day to highlight their grievances to the Governments, World Organizations, Society & Media and request on this World Elder Abuse Day to stop our Abuse & look towards us as their Elders, who have worked hard to get Freedom, Present Prosperity & Progress.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Let us join hands to create a professional cadre of workers to provide services for Senior Citizens.

Centre for Lifelong Learning TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES is offering a Diploma in Gerontology (Work with Older Adults) Starting from 18th June, 2010.The one year course will be offered on Fridays (5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) on Saturdays (10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.)

The dates for the applications are extended till July 1, 2010.

The Programme is for graduate adult learners above the age of 25 years and is certified by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

- Special fee and preference for those above 55 years.- Detailed information and the application form can be downloaded from the website: www.tiss.edu

Gerontology is a study of late Adulthood and of Older Adults as a special group. Gerontologists are concerned with understanding the many aspects of ageing right from cellular processes involved in improving quality of life of older people. An interdisciplinary approach is not only appropriate but necessary, given the complex health and mental health, social and economic concerns of Older Adults.

In 1989, sociologist and demographer, Alfred Savvy said that “The 21st century will be the century of ageing of mankind”. The elderly population in India is second largest in the world (Approx. 90 million), next only to China.

Throughout the 20th century, the proportion of people aged over 60 has increased in all countries of the world. This is also referred to as population ageing. Population ageing all over the world is the result of human victory over death and diseases as well as unwanted child bearing. According to the World Bank, due to improvement in mortality figures and decline in fertility levels, in the 20th century, Older population across major regions of the world except Africa has been growing at a rate faster than ever before. It is only since the last century that a sizable proportion of population has survived to experience old age. This extension of life has the potential to enrich society provided the wisdom and experience of Older Adults is integrated into life and living. As a consequence, in our time Ageing has become an important issue.

India, with a great deal of heterogeneity and diversity, has to face the challenge of ensuring that needs of Older Adults are adequately met especially with reference to their: health and nutrition; work and finance; security; property and housing; sensitization of family and community towards elderly issues; protection from neglect, violence and destitution (elder abuse); self-fulfillment; death with dignity. It is necessary that these are fulfilled as rights and not as charity.

The International Institute on Ageing, United Nations – Malta, for the third consecutive year, will be organising an International Training Programme in Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation and Monitoring of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. This is going to be held in Malta, between 11th – 22nd October 2010.

Senior Citizens, in spite of their number, collective wisdom & experience will continue to be ignored and marginalized, unless they unite – Kofi Annan

Today Indian population of Senior Citizen’s is more than 96 million , around 9% of a total population of our Country, According to one survey 66% of them cannot afford two square meals a day, 90% of them have no social or health security, 73% are illiterate and can only survive by doing physical labour, and 37% are lonely cursing their age.

Indian Government is signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002 when it committed to halve the old age poverty by 2015 but the reverse seems to be happening. According to another estimate while the population of BPL (Below Poverty Line) category has gone down below 22% , that in case of the Older Persons has exceeded 66%. This segment thus is becoming larger and larger at the same time is getting poorer and poorer. The poorest among the poor are Senior Citizens.

All this is happening because of the gross neglect and ignorance by our rulers of concerns and problems of Elderly. You will agree with the fact that our elders have waited for years on end to get attention from our rulers but all that they have received is indifference towards elder issues. While Senior Citizens are keen to play role in the development of the Country and the activities for the welfare of community, they are also demanding that their concerns must be addressed.

To address various issue and neglect of Elderly a Joint Action Committee has been set up for Organizing Senior Citizens' National Protest Day on August 16, 2010.

August 16th is going to be one of the historic day for Elderly in India, more than 25 national and state organizations & gerontologist, social activist working for Senior Citizens have come together and have set up a United Front to fight for basic rights of elderly.

Friday, June 11, 2010

On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2010, Silver Inning Foundation, a ‘Not for Profit’ dedicated organization for senior citizens and their family members will be commemorating Elder Abuse Day on 15th June’2010. It has taken the initiative to create awareness among civil society and Government to eliminate elder abuse at both micro and macro level.

SILVER INNING FOUNDATION invites an Essay of maximum 2000 words in following category and topics:

1) For all age group:

‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’

2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th:

“My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”

3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :

'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'

The Last date for submission of Essay is 25th June 2010.

Email your essay on or before 25th June 2010 to info@silverinnings.com and copy to silverinnings@gmail.com .

The winners will be announced online by email after 15th July 2010. For further information please call on Tel no. 09987104233 – Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.

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